In 1996, a health worker in Barangay
Imelda at Samal, Bataan needed help to treat malnourished children in the community. Rev.
Jose P. M. Cunanan and his wife, Elizabeth, responded by organizing the community and
introducing the Bahay Kubo food production scheme.

Inspired by the Philippine folk song
"Bahay Kubo", the Cunanans started the food production program that
encouraged households to plant the 18 crops/plants mentioned in the song.

Singkamas (turnips)

Talong (eggplant)

Sigarilyas (winged
beans)

Mani (peanuts)

Sitao (string beans)

Batao

Patani (lima bean)

Kundol (white gourd
melon)

Patola (loofa)

Upo (white gourd - club
shaped)

Kalabasa (squash)

Labanos (radish)

Mustasa (mustard)

Sibuyas (onion)

Kamatis (tomatoe)

Bawang (garlic)

Luya (ginger)

Linga (sesame seeds)

Since 10
of these plants are creepers, the construction of balag (trellis) is suggested
under this scheme. The frames of the trellis could be made of bamboo, buho, kakawati,
or ipil-ipil. Wire or rope can be used in setting up the frames. The use of wire
mesh as the "gapangan" is recommended since it generally lasts longer
than the net or the coconut leaves.

Most of it are not seasonal plants,
thus can be grown the whole year round.

Growing these plants in your own
backyard would guarantee the steady source of nutritious food for the consumption of the
whole family. It may also provide you the chance to generate additional income by selling
the produce that you could not consume.